PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between José Nabijos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Metaxa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nabijos comes to the cage accompanied by IF I DIE TONIGHT. The crowd seem to be enjoying Metaxa's choice of entrance music: •99• The Haunted🔫. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nabijos
vs
Metaxa

187 cm
34
206 lbs
43 - 10 - 1

185 cm
29
218 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, José Nabijos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Martin Metaxa!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Richard Clark and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nabijos throws a head kick that misses.
Metaxa dodges the punch combination from Nabijos.
The fight stays on the outside here - Metaxa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Metaxa lands a two punch combo.
Nabijos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good leg kick by Metaxa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nabijos throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nabijos misses with a wild body shot.

Nabijos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Metaxa told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Nabijos is looking to break free of the clinch but Metaxa has double underhooks.
Nabijos scores with a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Metaxa throws an elbow but it misses.
Nabijos looking to slow down the pace here.
Metaxa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nabijos misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metaxa can't find room to land a body shot as Nabijos controls the action.
Nabijos throws a head punch that misses.
Metaxa letting Nabijos take a breather here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Metaxa.
A hook to the body from Nabijos.
Nabijos lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nabijos.
Nabijos working hard to break the clinch.
Metaxa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Metaxa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Metaxa swings wildly with an uppercut but Nabijos uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nabijos lands a left hand.
Nabijos lands a shot to the body.
Nabijos lands a shot to the body.
Metaxa looks winded!
Nabijos struggles to land a body shot inside as Metaxa controls his hands.
A short right from Nabijos.
Nabijos lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nabijos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nabijos makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Metaxa.

Nabijos breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Nabijos scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Martin Metaxa has been cut.
Nabijos lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Metaxa at a distance.
Good shot there by Nabijos.
Nabijos connects with a leg kick. Metaxa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nabijos connects with a solid leg kick.
Nabijos scores with a push kick.
Metaxa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Metaxa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Metaxa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Nabijos drives through and clinches with Metaxa against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Metaxa throws an elbow but misses.
Nabijos scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Metaxa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nabijos lands a nice uppercut.
Nabijos lands a nice uppercut.
Nabijos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Metaxa tries to work over Nabijos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nabijos lands a hook to the side of the head.
Metaxa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nabijos looking to stall.
Nabijos is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Metaxa is defending well for now.
Metaxa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nabijos throws a head punch that misses.
Metaxa throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nabijos lands with a right to the head.
Nabijos lands a right hand that snaps the head of Metaxa backwards.
Nabijos lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos tries to work over Metaxa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Metaxa throws an elbow but it misses.
Metaxa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Nabijos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nabijos looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nabijos jabs at Metaxa's body.
Nabijos throws a leg kick but Metaxa checks it.
Metaxa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A right-left combo lands from Nabijos.
Metaxa tries to clinch up.
Nabijos throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Metaxa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nabijos connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Metaxa scrambles back to his feet.
Metaxa scores with a kick to the body.
Nabijos lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Metaxa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Metaxa misses the shot to the body.
Crunch! Nabijos slams his shin into Metaxa's torso.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Metaxa crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nabijos - the referee stops the clock and Metaxa gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nabijos. Metaxa manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nabijos misses with a looping right.
Nabijos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Metaxa was well out of range. Poor timing from Nabijos.
Nabijos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nabijos connects with a body shot that sends Metaxa's belly button to the back.
Metaxa misses with a looping right.
Nabijos misses with a head kick.
Nabijos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Metaxa tries to clinch up.
Metaxa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Metaxa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nabijos thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabijos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Metaxa.
Nabijos thows a body kick. Metaxa tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Metaxa is breathing heavily.
Nabijos changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Metaxa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nabijos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nabijos digs a good body shot into Metaxa's ribs.
Metaxa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nabijos with a hook.
Nabijos throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nabijos scores with a shot to the body.
José Nabijos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Metaxa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Metaxa has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nabijos.
Nabijos lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Nabijos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Nabijos.
Nabijos closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Metaxa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A shot to the liver by Nabijos. Beautiful body shot.
A head kick misses from Nabijos.
Nabijos with a hook.
Nabijos shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nabijos lands a nice leg kick that just misses Metaxa's sensitive parts.
Nabijos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Martin Metaxa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nabijos lands a leg kick that knocks Metaxa off balance momentarily.
Nabijos throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nabijos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Metaxa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Metaxa.
Metaxa has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nabijos.
Nabijos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Metaxa can do to turn this around?
Metaxa tries to move into range but Nabijos moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Some wild striking there from Metaxa.
Nabijos throws a leg kick which misses Metaxa's front leg but catches the back leg as Metaxa tries to avoid it.
Metaxa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Metaxa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nabijos. That's going to slow Metaxa down.
Nabijos looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nabijos throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nabijos lands a jab to Metaxa's midsection.
Good shot there by Nabijos.
Nabijos lands with a nice combination. Metaxa backs away looking to recover.

Nabijos cracks Metaxa with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Metaxa looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Nabijos finish him?

Metaxa is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nabijos.
Metaxa is still on wobbly legs! Can Nabijos finish him?
A nice inside leg kick there by Nabijos. That's going to slow Metaxa down.
Nabijos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Metaxa circles away quickly and effectively.
Metaxa seems to have recovered his senses.
Nabijos on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Metaxa takes one to the side of the head.
Nabijos jabs Metaxa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Metaxa misses with a series of wild punches.
Nabijos lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Metaxa throws the kick towards the body but Nabijos avoids it.
Metaxa keeps the fight on the outside.
A looping hook to the body misses from Metaxa. Nabijos does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Martin Metaxa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nabijos connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nabijos cracks Metaxa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Metaxa moves forwards but Nabijos connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nabijos looks to land a combination but Metaxa avoids it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nabijos.
Metaxa blocks a leg kick.
Nabijos turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Metaxa misses with a body shot.
Nabijos changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Metaxa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nabijos lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nabijos's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Metaxa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nabijos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nabijos throws a head kick that Metaxa semi-blocks.
Nabijos misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabijos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nabijos's jab looks to have found its range, popping Metaxa under the eye.

Nabijos feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Metaxa sprawling to the canvas! Metaxa rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Nabijos finish him?!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nabijos turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Metaxa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nabijos.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nabijos.
Metaxa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Metaxa falls off balance throwing a combination

so Nabijos counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Nabijos drops back looking for a leg! Metaxa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Metaxa manages to kick Nabijos off! Nabijos jumps back into Metaxa's guard.
Nabijos passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa tries to improve position but can't.
Nabijos working the ground and pound but Metaxa is defending the strikes.
The referee asks Nabijos politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nabijos prefers to stall for the moment though.

Nabijos tries for a kimura but Metaxa is defending well.
Nabijos tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Nabijos tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nabijos has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nabijos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Nabijos is trying to get an arm triangle but Metaxa is defending well.
Nabijos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Metaxa keeps working.
Metaxa wants to control but Nabijos postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nabijos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Nabijos trying to control the action but Metaxa is working from the bottom.
Nabijos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Metaxa is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nabijos misses with the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nabijos tries to move into full mount but can't pass Metaxa's legs.
Nabijos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The strikes coming from Nabijos are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Metaxa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Metaxa throws a hook to the side of Nabijos's head but Nabijos sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nabijos lands with an uppercut that bounces Metaxa off the cage and back into range.
Nabijos misses with a body kick.
The crowd cheers as Nabijos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Metaxa doesn't seem phased though.
Nice shot lands for Nabijos.
Nabijos lands a lovely overhand right.
Nabijos scores with a kick to the body.
Nabijos digs a good body shot into Metaxa's ribs.
Nabijos looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Metaxa walks into a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good work by Nabijos as he checks the leg kick.
Nabijos fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nabijos blocks a head kick by Metaxa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabijos chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nabijos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Metaxa.
Nabijos does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nabijos lands a nice leg kick that just misses Metaxa's sensitive parts.
Metaxa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nabijos.
Metaxa tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
José Nabijos is winning the standup battle so far.
Metaxa dodges the punch combination from Nabijos.
Nabijos sizes up Metaxa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Danga de danga de dang - Nabijos scores with a four punch combination!
Nabijos scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nabijos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Metaxa has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nabijos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa blocks a head kick by Nabijos.
Metaxa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Metaxa slips a straight right by Nabijos.
Nabijos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nabijos lunges at Metaxa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Metaxa's hand.
Nabijos lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nabijos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nabijos connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nabijos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Metaxa.
Metaxa moves to clinch but Nabijos breaks away

and Nabijos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Metaxa tries to throw a body punch but Nabijos avoids it by throwing Metaxa back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos working aggressively here.
Metaxa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nabijos backwards.
Nabijos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Metaxa is defending well.
Nabijos misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nabijos misses with a short punch on the inside.
Metaxa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nabijoss head.
Metaxa tries to land knees in the clinch but Nabijos avoids the damage to the body.
Nabijos throws a head punch that misses.

Nabijos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nabijos fails to land with a series of punches.
Nabijos avoids the head kick by Metaxa.
Nabijos swings for the body but Metaxa moves out of range.
Metaxa misses with a low kick as Nabijos jumps back.
Metaxa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nabijos lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos throws a lazy uppercut
and Metaxa counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A combination from Nabijos does no damage.
Nabijos avoids the head kick by Metaxa.
Nabijos connects with a body shot that sends Metaxa's belly button to the back.
Nabijos looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nabijos ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nabijos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nabijos throws a push kick but Metaxa slaps the foot to one side.
Metaxa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nabijos misses with a low kick.
Metaxa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Metaxa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nabijos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos had his way with Martin Metaxa in that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Metaxa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nabijos looks to throw the jab but Metaxa is out of range.
Nabijos misses with a leg kick.
Nabijos connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nabijos connects with an inside leg kick.
Nabijos lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Metaxa misses with a jab to the body

and Nabijos counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nabijos controlling from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Metaxa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nabijos.
Nabijos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nabijos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Metaxa's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabijos wants to free his trapped foot but Metaxa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Metaxa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nabijos.
Metaxa controlling the position for now.

Nabijos is working for a kimura but Metaxa is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Metaxa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Metaxa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Metaxa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Metaxa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nabijos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Metaxa's guard.
Nabijos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Metaxa's head.
Metaxa is looking for a sweep. Nabijos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nabijos is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Metaxa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nabijos.

Metaxa manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Martin Metaxa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Metaxa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nabijos misses with a few strikes there.
Nabijos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Metaxa was well out of range. Poor timing from Nabijos.
Metaxa throws a right hand that misses

and Nabijos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nabijos scores with a shot to the side of Metaxa's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Metaxa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Nabijos.
Nabijos tries to throw a body punch but Metaxa avoids it by throwing Nabijos back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Metaxa misses with some punches.
Metaxa tries to work over Nabijos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nabijos throws a head punch that misses.
Metaxa misses with a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nabijos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Nabijos breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nabijos connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Metaxa's hands.
Nabijos lands the left hand.
Nabijos motions for Metaxa to come forward. Nabijos throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Metaxa looks to land a right hand but Nabijos moved out of range.
Metaxa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nabijos.

And that's the end of the fight!
José Nabijos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nabijos has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:43
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:43
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... José Nabijos!
An out of breath José Nabijos thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.